21 Cute Doors and Windows in Penang, Malaysia

With its mix of cultures, rich heritage and beautiful architecture, Penang is a fascinating destination. Here’s a look at this interesting combination through the cute doors and windows of Penang.

Chinese shophouse with green door and two green windows with two columns

Penang has to be one of my favourite destinations in South East Asia and one that needs to be included in every Malaysia itinerary, and I believe that this tropical island is totally underrated and deserves more recognition.

Located off the west coast of Malaysia, at the crossroads of Eastern and Western trade routes, the island of Penang is a melting pot of cultures with Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influence.

This mix of cultures has resulted in the most unique heritage, food and architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the city of George Town.

Traditional temples, homes, hotels and shophouses mingle with modern buildings, and you can feel like you’re in India one moment, cross the road and you feel like you have travelled to China.

In this post, I am taking a stroll through the streets of George Town as an alternative Penang city tour, and celebrating the quirkiness and diversity of this multiculturalism and how it is reflected on the local architecture.

Penang Chinese Shophouses

Chinese shophouse with yellow door and two yellow windows — Beautiful colours and tilework

Chinese shophouse with wooden door and two green windows — I love these green windows

Chinese shophouse with red door and two red windows — Peranakan home with a ji-ho (plaque) with the family name above the door

Three baby, pink ornate window shutters on a fuschia pink shophouse with 2 girls walking past — Families lived above a shop, hence the name shophouse

Chinese shophouse with pink wooden door — Sweet pink door with lovely carvings

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Chinese shophouse with green door and two green windows with scooter parked outside

Chinese shophouse with wooden door with grates and two white windows and two pink lanterns

Blue Chinese shophouse with brown door and two brown windows and two pink lanterns — I think this is my favourite!

Decayed blue Chinese shophouse with black door and two red windows — Or maybe this one… I love them all!

Blue Chinese shophouse with wooden door and two wooden windows — So many shades of blue

Chinese shophouse with blue and white striped door and two blue and white windows and two red lanterns — This one has to be the cutest with the dolls on the door

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Chinese shophouse with wooden door and two wooden windows and two red lanterns — Peranakans were the early Chinese immigrants to the Malay Peninsula

Facade with yellow door and a blue arch in the distance — Beautiful tiles and colours

Chinese shophouse with red wooden door and two red windows — A Peranakan home with its own front garden

Penang Temples

But it’s not just the cute little shophouses of George Town that show the island’s multiculturalism. This diversity means that there are places of worship that serve the different faiths that harmoniously live in the island.

Chinese temple door with green railings and Chinese figures on the door — Doors of a Chinese Temple with painted protective deities

Hindu deity on a blue arched window from a Hindu temple — A window to the Hindu Temple in Penang Hill

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Penang Street Art

Penang is also well known for its street art. The last few years have seen a resurgence that was kicked off in 2012 by the municipal council, who commissioned Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic to bring a new lease of life to the streets of George Town.

This art plays with objects and architectural features, so here are couple more doors and windows that have been enhanced by street artists.

Boy on a motorbike painted on an old door — Boy on a Bike by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic

Cute dolls painted on a purple wall next to a white window with a yellow and blue disk — A cute little window used to display art

Window painted on a wall with a giant cat looking out — But if you don’t have a window, just paint one!

Door surrounded by an iron sculpture — One of the many Penang Iron caricatures enhancing a dull door

So tell me: Have you been to Penang? Which style of doors and windows is your favourite?
Let me know in the comments!

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21 Cute Doors & Windows in Penang, Malaysia

Danial (Dan On The Road)

Sunday 27th of October 2019

Those lovely photos of shop houses would definitely make a good print-out gift!

Teresa Gomez

Monday 15th of June 2020

Thank you so much! That's such a good idea! :)

Kim Hogg

Wednesday 14th of February 2018

Damn, those are some good doors! Gorgeous photography too. I went to Penang about 13 years ago, before my door obsession materialised. This has made me want to go back!

Teresa

Sunday 18th of February 2018

Thank you! I know how you feel. There are few destinations a I’d like to revisit so I can obsess about the doors and windows too ?

Ling Ge

Monday 25th of September 2017

Wow, these are some amazing doors and wall art! I wished I paid more attention to these because some of them are very vibrant and intricate! Maybe will be keeping more of an eye out for them.

Thanks Ling! It's so easy not to notice beautiful everyday things that are around us ?

Wanderlust Vegans

Sunday 24th of September 2017

You have a great eye for style. A lot of these awesome doors and windows would go unnoticed if you weren't keeping an eye out. It is interesting once you start noticing something how you can find some cool stuff. I like the colour and design of these places. It is interesting how some look Chinese and others Indian.

Thank you so much! That's such a lovely thing to say! There is always beauty all around us but sometime we don't really pay much attention to it. Penang is full of interesting and eye-catching things wherever you look and I guess the doors and windows were what caught my imagination there :)

Zoya

I totally love this post! The Chinese and Western influence is very evident in the architecture. Isn't it just amazing how different cultures can influence architectural styles?

George Town looks like a great place to explore. I can already see myself being mesmerized by all these lovely colors and styles, for hours. Totally adding this to my list! Thanks!

Thank you Zoya! I'm so glad you like it! George Town is a real melting pot of cultures and that's why I love it! I hope you get to visit some time :)